Reborn As An Omega: His Second Chance Mate

Saving Her

Raven

The tears wouldn’t stop falling, no matter how hard I tried. The maids worked around me, their hands scrubbing and combing with efficiency, but their faces betrayed their unease.

They avoided my gaze as they prepared me for the engagement announcement. I felt like a lamb being led to slaughter. I hadn’t even informed my mother about it, it could kill her. I begged the Alpha to let me stay here until the day of the ceremony.

I sent a letter to my mother, telling her I needed to work extra shifts. I hoped they were convincing.

The bathwater had long turned cold, yet they still hovered, making sure every inch of me was polished and perfect. As they worked, my mind drifted back to that day in the Alpha’s office when everything changed.

I stood in the corner, my heart racing as I waited for him to speak. Lyra sat smugly on the plush chair, her legs crossed, clearly irritated at being summoned.

Alpha Damian’s voice broke the silence. “Lyra, I’ve made a decision regarding the debt we owe to Alpha Varek.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “I’ve told you before, Father. I’m not marrying that old man. I’m engaged to Tyrion, and that’s final.”

He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. “I know, Lyra. That’s why Raven will take your place.”

My heart stopped. I felt the room tilt as his words sank in.

“What?” I whispered, barely able to find my voice.

Alpha Damian turned to me, his expression hard. “You will pretend to be Lyra and marry Alpha Varek in her place. It’s the only way to settle this debt and ensure the safety of our pack.”

“No!” I cried, stepping forward. “You can’t do this to me! Please, I’ll do anything, but don’t send me to him!”

Lyra laughed cruelly. “Oh, this is perfect. The little slave gets to play princess. But don’t think for a second that this is some fairy tale, Raven. Varek is a monster.”

I turned to Alpha Damian, desperate. “Please, don’t do this. I’ve served this pack my whole life. My mother is sick, she needs me!”

His gaze softened for a moment, but his next words were as cold and clear as ice. “If you want your mother to be safe, you’ll do as I say. This isn’t about you, Raven. It’s about the pack. The decision is final.”

I collapsed into the nearest chair, tears streaming down my face as the reality of my fate sank in. Lyra smirked as she left the room, but not before throwing one last barb over her shoulder. “Good luck, ‘sister.’ You’re going to need it.”

Now, as the maids fastened the intricate buttons of the gown they had forced onto me, I stared at the small amulet around my neck. It was my mother’s, one of the only pieces of her past life she had been allowed to keep. My fingers brushed over the worn surface as fresh tears welled in my eyes.

The door creaked open, and Lyra waltzed in, her presence as suffocating as ever. She leaned against the doorframe, a malicious grin on her face.

“Well, don’t you look… presentable,” she sneered. “Not that it matters. Varek won’t care. Do you know what he does to his wives, Raven?”

I glared at her, refusing to take the bait.

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “He breaks them. Mind, body, and soul. And then, when he’s bored, he discards them. Sometimes in pieces.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Because I want you to know what you’re walking into,” she said with mock sweetness. “Oh, and don’t forget—he’s old. Very old. I hear he’s barely able to stand most days.”

Lyra laughed as she left, her voice echoing in the empty room. I sank to the floor, clutching the amulet tightly.

The engagement announcement was a small affair, attended only by a handful of trusted allies of Alpha Damian. They were all in on the deception, their faces carefully blank as they watched me enter the hall.

Alpha Varek sat at the head of the table, his wrinkled hands trembling as he coughed into a handkerchief. The sight of him made my stomach churn. His eyes leered at me as I was introduced, and I forced myself to curtsy, bile rising in my throat.

Varek’s sons were no better. They took every opportunity to bump into me, whispering crude comments under their breath. I tried to avoid them, but they seemed to enjoy cornering me.

At one point, his daughter approached. She was beautiful, with sharp features and a auburn air. I thought, perhaps, she was there to save me from her brothers, but her smile was cruel. “You don’t belong here,” she said simply before walking away, leaving me humiliated.

I escaped to the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief. I leaned against the railing, letting the tears I had been holding back finally fall.

“Are you all right?”

I jumped at the sound of Tyrion’s voice. He stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

“What do you care?” I snapped, wiping my eyes.

He hesitated before stepping closer. “Raven, I—”

I cut him off. “Are you happy now? Does it make you feel better, seeing me like this? You rejected me, Tyrion. You made your choice.”

Before he could respond, Lyra appeared, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. “Tyrion, there you are. Come, the announcement is starting.”

I turned away, leaving them behind as I returned to the hall.

The announcement began, Alpha Damian standing to address the room. But before he could speak, the doors burst open, and a man strode in.

He was tall, with dark, piercing eyes and an air of authority that silenced the room. His hair was long and black as midnight, and his jawline was sharp enough to cut glass. His presence was magnetic, and I felt an inexplicable pull toward him.

“Who dares interrupt?” Alpha Varek demanded, his voice quivered.

The man ignored him. “Alpha Damian,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “I have reason to believe your daughter is my mate.”

Before I could react, Lyra ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. “I knew you’d come for me!” she exclaimed. “Everyone, the Lycan King is my mate.” She squealed.

The man frowned, pushing her aside. His eyes met mine and I felt my heart stop for a moment. His eyes stared deeply into mine, it was as if he could see my soul.

The air became thicker and with each step he took, I felt as though I was floating and he was taking forever to get to me.

Alpha Varek’s face turned red with rage as soon as he noticed what is going on. “You deceived me!” he shouted. “Guards, seize her!”

Two guards grabbed me, and I struggled against them. In the commotion, my sleeve tore, revealing the mark on my wrist.

The man’s eyes widened as his eyes darted to the mark. “Stop!” he commanded, drawing out his sword. His voice sounded like thunder.

The room fell silent as he approached me, his movements slow and deliberate. He took my hand and pulled me away from Alpha Varek. Then he held my wrist in his hand, examining the mark, before falling to his knees before me. “Ariel,” he whispered.